Early in February, St Mary’s Singers held their first Annual Dinner at the John O’Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton. Ninety one members, partners and patrons attended for what is hoped will become a regular event. After a first class dinner, everyone relaxed to listen to the evenings’ Guest Speaker, Dr John Cole from Taunton. Dr Cole is an old friend of Douglas Coombes the Musical Director of St Mary’s Singers.

 John spoke about his life long involvement with music and related many amusing tales and anecdotes which kept his audience highly amused. Born in Taunton, John conducted his first choir as a Boy Scout at the age of eight. In later years whilst a medical student in London, he became quite involved in the London classical music scene, singing with All Saints, Margaret Street, Purley Opera and various university revues.

 After qualifying, John returned to Somerset into General Practice in Wellington but soon became involved with the regional music scene enjoying in turn, musical directorships of Wellington and Taunton Operatic Societies, Somerset Summer Chorus and Taunton Choral Society. He formed the Taunton Philharmonic Orchestra made up of amateur and professional players and as recent as last year, formed a new professional orchestra, Orchestra West. A chamber choir, Amici, made up of leading West Country solo singers and now recognised as one of the finest in the South West, was formed by John ten years ago. John has regularly performed the works of Douglas Coombes, recent examples being Te Deum and Requiem and gave the world premiere of Douglas’s Aesop’s Fables. 

 This was an evening enjoyed by all and thanks must go to Douglas Coombes for inviting John Cole as a very entertaining after dinner speaker.